We are halfway into the 2016 legislative session, and I am excited to share with you the progress and impact that we have made so far. As always, whether through passing legislation in the Capitol, or providing resources for constituents through my local office, I look forward to improving the lives and communities of the 41st Assembly District and the rest of the state of California.

In Sacramento, the majority of my legislative package has cleared the Assembly and will now move forward in the Senate. While there are numerous issues facing Californians, we can pass policies that help solve multiple problems. My bill, AB 1696, that will help Californians quit smoking, not only saves lives, but saves the state millions in health care costs. AB 2222 that creates low-cost transportation passes for California's low-income students will provide safe, reliable and inexpensive means to get to class, reduce our state's greenhouse gas emissions, and develop lifelong ridership habits among our high school and college students.

I am happy to report that the California Legislature passed an on-time State Budget. The next step is the governor's signature, which will happen before June 30. This year's budget will provide one million dollars for the Pasadena Playhouse. The Pasadena Playhouse, the official state theater of California, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2017.

In the past few months, I have partnered with the California State License Board for two Senior Scam Stoppers seminars to help seniors and their families protect themselves from scams. I also partnered with the state Board of Equalization to provide free tax preparation in both the eastern and western parts of the 41st District.

There is still much more work to be done at the Capitol and in the district over the coming months. As we enter the summer months, I wish you a happy July Fourth, and hope to see you at my annual Block Party and Community Resource Fair on July 30.

Currently, the majority of my legislative package has cleared the Assembly and is moving forward in the Senate. You can read about my legislative package here[2] and stay up-to-date on my website[3], Facebook[4] or Twitter[5].

Our Young Legislators finished their final in-district session at Caltech. They toured the campus facilities, which included a visit to the seismology lab, listened to a lecture on near earth asteroids, and met Caltech alum and author of "Science of TV’s Big Bang Theory,” David Zobel. The Young Legislators Program will conclude June 29 with a trip to Northern California with visits to Facebook in Menlo Park and the State Capitol Building in Sacramento. Applications for the 2017 Young Legislators Program are due October 20 and can be found here[6].

My round-table event “Encouraging Partnerships to Deliver Local Housing Solutions” in Altadena had a great turnout and resulted in an engaging discussion. Lisa Bates from the California Department of Housing and Community Development and Toni Navarro from Tri-City Mental Health Services, facilitated a robust conversation around affordable housing solutions.

In a ceremony in Sacramento, I recognized Pasadena resident Robin Salzer, owner of Robin’s Woodfire BBQ in Pasadena since 1982, as the “Small Business of the Year” for the 41st Assembly District. The secret to Robin's success is his commitment to reinvesting back into the community. Robin founded the Lemonade Brigade in Pasadena and Duarte as a youth entrepreneur training program. In 2010, he founded the Pasadena Hot Meal Program to help feed those in need, and in 2015 the program celebrated its fifth year with 100,000 hot meals served. Read more about Robin Salzer here[8].

In April, upon her recent retirement, I had the privilege to recognize Dr. Lucy Jones – one of the world’s most influential seismologists – with an Assembly Resolution. Jones has been a leading seismologist with the United States Geological Survey and a visiting research associate at the Seismological Laboratory of California Institute of Technology for more than three decades. Her pioneering research has improved earthquake safety across our state and will ensure countless lives are saved whenever ‘The Big One’ inevitably strikes. As Californians living in a seismically active region, we will forever be grateful for her contributions. Read more about Dr. Lucy Jones here[9].

In observance of Holocaust Memorial Day on May 16, I recognized Holocaust survivor Sam Langholz of Pasadena on the Assembly Floor. It is important that we honor and remember survivors like him. His story teaches us not only about the gross atrocities and denial of basic human rights committed by perpetrators of evil, but also that of survival healing, and the emergence of a nation. Read more of Langholz’s incredible story here[10].

In partnership with the California State License Board, my office organized “Senior Scam Stoppers” seminars in South Pasadena and Claremont to help seniors and their families protect themselves from scams. Learn more about the seminars here[11].

Meeting with Claremont High School Theatre Thespians. They have one of the most robust theater programs in Southern California with 25 percent of their student body involved.

California Black Lawyers Association

With California School Board Association

Honoring San Bernardino City and County first responders in Sacramento for their heroism in the horrific attacks that took place in San Bernardino on December 2. Here I am with the first responders along with Assemblymembers Cheryl Brown and Marc Steinnorth.

It was a pleasure to honor Tanya Cobb and the Pasadena Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at the Young African American Women’s Conference.

Buddy Renzullo and Sydney Moy with the California School Employees Association (CSEA).

Great panel discussion at Citrus College on "Why Politics Matter" with Professor Dave Milbrandt, and Dean of Pepperdine School of Public Policy Pete Peterson.

Braving the rain in the Arroyo Seco Parkway with Pasadena Councilmember Steve Madison and Congressman Adam Schiff for the groundbreaking of Habitat for Humanity’s affordable housing for military veterans and their families.

Speaking at a press conference with a coalition of transportation, health, and environmental groups who came to Sacramento to voice support for transportation equity.

Great to meet with local government leaders Burbank Vice Mayor Jess Talamantes and Councilmember Emily Gabel-Luddy, who I worked closely with while serving on the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority.

It was a pleasure to present Ed Bacon with a California State Assembly Resolution, recognizing his 21 years of service as rector of All Saints Church. His profound leadership and service will be missed and I wish him all the best in his retirement.

At the Options for Learning 33rd Annual Policymaker Breakfast. It was very special to receive artwork and handmade bookmarks from the preschool students who I read to during Read Across America.

With Consumer Attorneys

National Society of Jewish Women

Honored to join legendary actress and activist Jane Fonda and Pasadena Playhouse Board President David DiCristofaro at the Pasadena Playhouse, California's Historic State Theatre. The state theatre turns 100 next year.

Being honored by transportation equity groups as an Environmental Justice Champion for my introduction of AB 2222.

Great meeting with Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley discussing women’s health

Celebrating 150th anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers on the Senate floor.

Assemblymembers Obernolte, Quirk, and I recognized Dr. Rana Adhikari, professor of physics at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech); Dr. David Reitze, executive director of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO); and Dr. Kip Thorne, co-founder of LIGO and professor emeritus at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) for their discovery of gravitational waves.